Windham Raymond Adult Education celebrates graduates who overcame obstacles with resilience and hope

By Masha Yurkevich

For the 18 graduates recognized last week during the Windham Raymond Adult Education commencement ceremony, earning a diploma represented much more than completing coursework. It marked perseverance, renewed confidence and the courage to pursue a different path.

Windham Raymond Adult Education recognized 18 graduates
during its 2026 commencement ceremony held on Wednesday,
June 10 at Windham High School. Three students earned high
school diplomas and 15 completed the HiSET high school
equivalency program. Top row, from left, are Kynzlea Trefethen,
Logan Thompson, Alex Barnhart, Caleb Brown and Trey Soksrey.
Middle row, from left, are Emily Willings, Ellissa
Steeves-McCormick, Tre'jon Williams and Eitan Freiden.
Bottom row, from left, are Allyssa king and Makayala Cormiea.'
COURTESY PHOTO     

 

Windham Raymond Adult Education recognized 18 graduates during its 2026

commencement ceremony held on Wednesday evening, June 10 at Windham High

School. 

The graduates' stories showed determination in the face of significant challenges. One student completed her final HiSET exams just days before giving birth to her daughter. Another will enter military service shortly. Another student had already begun taking community college courses before graduation and is enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in forensic science this fall.

Giuffre-Renaud said many students arrive believing graduation is out of reach.

"I want our graduates to know how much we are in awe of what they have overcome to reach this milestone," she said. "I want them to know what it feels like to be seen and to feel special for the right reasons."

Many participants overcome barriers that extend beyond academics. Transportation is often a challenge after students leave traditional high school and lose access to school buses. Others struggle to obtain government-issued identification required for HiSET testing or juggle employment while trying to complete coursework.

The commencement speaker this year was artist Charlie Hewitt, who echoed those themes throughout his keynote address.

Windham Raymond Adult Education Director Thomas Nash said he invited Hewitt after hearing him speak at a statewide wellness summit last winter.

"His genuineness, approachable nature and his powerful message of remaining hopeful in times of turmoil, stress as well as in our everyday lives resonated with me," Nash said. "I thought his message would be well-received by our graduates and their families and friends."

Known nationally for his illuminated "Hopeful" public art installations, Hewitt spoke about growing up in Lewiston, pursuing his dream of becoming an artist in New York City and eventually returning to Maine to begin a new chapter in his life. His message centered on determination, resilience, and choosing hope during difficult times.

The ceremony also recognized exceptional student achievement through the presentation of the Scholar of Distinction Award to Eitan Freiden. Freiden earned his HiSET while taking advantage of multiple educational opportunities offered through Windham Raymond Adult Education. In addition to completing pre-college course work that included a college success class in partnership with Southern Maine Community College.

Freiden also completed a statistics course through York County Community College's Early College program and is now pursuing an Alcohol and Drug Counselor Certification through YCCC that will lead into an associate degree in behavioral health.

Windham Raymond Adult Education graduates are now embarking on a variety of next steps. According to Maine College and Career Access Coordinator Jessica Trimmer, members of the Class of 2026 are enrolled in programs including forensic science, behavioral health and business administration at York County Community College, Central Maine Community College and Southern Maine Community College. Several graduates are exploring apprenticeships and careers in skilled trades, while another has chosen military service.

Support from Windham Adult Education does not end when students receive their diplomas. 

Through the Maine College and Career Access program, students receive individualized college and career advisement designed to prepare them for post-secondary education and employment. Services include career interest inventories, pre-college courses in math and writing, assistance completing college admissions and financial aid paperwork, as well as resume and cover letter support.

For Nash, adult education creates benefits that extend throughout the community.

"When adults go back to school, whether to learn English, finish a high school equivalency, pick up a trade or master digital tools, the benefits ripple far beyond the individual student," he said.

He noted that adult education strengthens the local workforce, fosters connections among people from diverse backgrounds and contributes to healthier communities through improved literacy.

As one graduating class celebrated its achievements, Giuffre-Renaud was already looking ahead.

"There is no rest for the weary," she said. "I am already enrolling students who will work this summer to also sit on stage and celebrate their graduation next June."

For the graduates on Tuesday night, however, the focus remained squarely on the accomplishment before them – proof that with persistence, support and hope, a second chance can become a life-changing opportunity. <

Windham Raymond Adult Education graduate shows what determination can do

By Masha Yurkevich

On June 13, Windham Raymond Adult Education celebrated their 2024 graduates who persevered through all the challenges that came their way and who stood strong in their determination, not giving up until they reached their goal.

Through all the challenges and obstacles that came his way,
Matthew Ostiguy's determination led him to finish what he
started and to graduate and follow his dreams. Ostiguy, right,
shows his high school diplomas to Cathy Giuffre-Renaud
of Windham Raymond Adult Education.
SUBMITTED PHOTO     

Matthew Ostiguy was one of this year’s graduates of the WRAE program and a patient of the Neurorestorative Rehabilitation Clinic of Standish Maine who provided a shining example of determination and willpower.

Ostiguy is originally from Fairhaven, Massachusetts where he lived for 25 years until moving up to Maine.

“During my stay there, I had only made it to junior year in high school before dropping out,” said Ostiguy. “I couldn't say I really had any plan in life yet other than spending time at the skatepark trying to make something of myself thinking I could take that to a level where I could get paid for it.”

Ostiguy chose to complete his education at WRAE because he was feeling left out.

“Seeing most of my friends, my younger cousins, my family and people I looked up to, having degrees and or still completing school made me so much more motivated to buckle down and attain my diploma,” he said. “I felt like I had something to prove by finishing what I had started.”

This promised to be a difficult journey.

During his time in the adult education program, Ostiguy found it extremely challenging to relearn some of things that he was taught because the material felt foreign after being out of school for such a long time.

“I had never thought it would be so difficult to relearn,” said Ostiguy. “It definitely required practice and studying, or I don't think I would've gotten through it at all.”

Ostiguy had many obstacles on his way, but he was determined to finish what he started. He said he was determined to show everyone what he was capable of and that he could actually get it done once he set his mind to it.

“School was always very hard for me, so it came as a surprise to my family and even myself when I decided to start attending the program,” he said.

After graduating, Ostiguy says he couldn't help but feel a great sense of personal accomplishment wash over him as he had completed what he had originally set out to do.

“The fact that I could show everybody that I had completed high school even after 12 years and having a hemorrhagic stroke, relearning basically everything from talking to even being able to walk short distances, and then to go on and finally graduate. I really did feel amazing.”

One of Ostiguy’s favorite parts of acquiring his education was the feeling of regaining knowledge from the past and the feeling of actually attending school again.

“It may sound odd, but it really does feel good to be learning again after a long hiatus. Especially going to a graduation ceremony for the first time, it really was the most rewarding feeling I've experienced in a while.”

After graduation, Ostiguy plans to return to his home state and get a place of his own and look for work until he can acquire a college education, get himself situated and get things in order until he opens the next chapter of his future.

“As for advice to all those who are trying to pursue or already pursuing a high school diploma or thinking about it, I'd really like to try to persuade you to give it your all,” said Ostiguy. “Every little bit of effort is worth the result in the end, and you'll unlock so many doors by doing so. The reward really is worth the cost of commitment everyone puts in. To anyone reading this, know that it is never too late, and there is never going to be any judgement on when or how you accomplished your goals. The point comes down to the fact that you got it done, and that is all that will ever matter.”

Ostiguy is very grateful and thanks his mother, his father, the many therapists he had helping me out from Day One, Cathy Giuffre-Renaud of Windham/Raymond Adult Education, and the many people from Windham/Raymond Adult Education for allowing him to attend the program to achieve my goals.

“I really could not have done any of it if it weren't for the many people who have offered me support of any type, it really meant the world to me,” said Ostiguy. <